A phased reopening plan with the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information (MOEYI) is set. The general guidelines for the partial resumption and full reopening of schools is a 160-page document with information on sanitization and hygiene practices, social distancing measures, classroom arrangements, and a full implementation plan with specific timelines with responsible agencies.
Based on the manual, for the month of June, the Ministry conducted and supported meetings with relevant parties to discuss resumption activities. For July, school administrators were expected to prepare and submit a management plan to reflect operational hours, a modified timetable along with a student rotation plan
The Education Ministry also held a virtual meeting with parents and is expected to facilitate several others leading up to the reopening of school. Many parents are now satisfied with the arrangements in place.
“I considered sending my child to school. The reason is that I am definitely not a teacher. I do not have the patience for it,” shared one parent, while adding that her child wouldn’t be able to learn as much if she stayed away from school.
Another parent said, “I cannot afford the homeschooling. I can’t afford to teach him. I am not getting enough pay for that.”
The cost to home school a child appears to be a common issue among parents with many believing that a trained teacher should facilitate the learning process.
“I believe that the students should be sent back to school. Personally, I cannot afford to home school, my child. I am not properly equipped with the necessary equipment to educate my child,” explained another parent.
With an implementation plan in place, educators and parents are anticipating the reopening of school to see if all will go as planned. The strategies in place are expected to create a safer environment for students and the blended approach to learning being used as a tactic to control the spread of Covid-19.
